Development of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) carbonated drink

Mangifera pajang Kostermans or bambangan is a popular fruit among Sabahan due to its health and economic values. However, the fruit is not fully commercialized since it is usually been used as traditional cuisine by local people. Thus, development of bambangan fruit into carbonated drink was conducted to produce new product concept. The objectives of this study were to conceptualize, formulate, evaluate consumer acceptance, and determine physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of the accepted product. Method used in conceptualising the product was based on questionnaire. The consumer acceptance was evaluated based on descriptive and affective tests with four product formulations tested. The physicochemical properties on carbon dioxide volume, colour, pH, total acidity, total soluble solid (TSS) and viscosity were highlighted, meanwhile nutritional composition on fat, protein, carbohydrates and energy content were determined. About 77% respondents gave positive feedback, and 69% respondents decided this product is within their budget. The formulation of 5% bambangan pulp, 70% water, 25% sugar and 0.2% citric acid was highly accepted in descriptive and affective tests with 4.4 and 6.39 mean scores, respectively. The physicochemical properties and nutritional composition of the acceptance product were in optimum value except for colour, total acidity and TSS. Overall, this study showed that the product has high potential to be commercialized as new product concept, and heritage of indigenous people can be preserved when this fruit is known regionally

Satu Kajian tentang Getaran Terusik ke atas Selaput Segi Empat Sarna dengan Menggunakan Teori Usikan.

Dengan menggunakan teori usikan, kajian ke atas getaran selaput segi empat sama dibuat. fa menunjukkan bahawa andainya taburan jisim selaput tersebut tidak sekata maka akan berlaku perubahan pada bentuk getm"an dan juga Jrequensi yang terhasil. Bentuk getaran dan Jrequensi yang terhasil tersebut dapat diperihalkan oleh teori usikan. Dengan menggunakan komputer bentuk perubahan getaran tersebut dapat dilihat dengan tepat

Antiproliferative activity of five garcinia species collected in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo against estrogen receptor-human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell line

Garcinia species are well-known for their unique properties of having natural secondary metabolite compounds called xanthone as well as their ethnomedicinal values such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The study was conducted to investigate the antiproliferative activity of peel, flesh and seed extracts of G. dulcis, G. parvifolia, G. nitida, G. mangostana var. mangosta and G. cambogia collected from Malaysian Borneo (Sabah) against estrogen receptor-positive human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cells. The antiproliferative activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that G. dulcis seed induced strongest antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cancer cell line with the IC50 value of 2.5±0.0 μg/ml, followed by G. dulcis flesh, G. mangostana var. mangostana peel and G. dulcis peel with IC50 values of 9.33 ± 3.21, 11.17 ± 1.04 and 17.67 ± 2.08 μg/ml, respectively. Meanwhile, the IC50 value for G. cambogia peel was 56.67 ± 10.5 μg/ml. No IC50 value was detected in all parts of G. parvifolia and G. nitida at concentration tested (<100 μg/ml). Overall, this study clearly showed that the whole fruit of G. dulcis displayed potent cytotoxic effect by inducing antiproliferative activity at low concentration. Further studies are needed in the future to develop this fruit as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product for the treatment and prevention against cancer

Preliminary Phytochemical and Antimycobacterial Investigation of Some Selected Medicinal Plants of Endau Rompin, Johor, Malaysia

Tuberculosis (TB), the primary cause of morbidity and mortality globally is a great public health challenge especially in developing countries of Africa and Asia. Existing TB treatment involves multiple therapies and requires long duration leading to poor patient compliance. The local people of Kampung Peta, Endau Rompin claimed that local preparations of some plants are used in a TB symptoms treatment. Hence, there is need to validate the claim scientifically.  Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the in vitro anti-mycobacterial properties and to screen the phytochemicals present in the extracts qualitatively. The medicinal plants were extracted using decoction and successive maceration. The disc diffusion assay was used to evaluate the anti-mycobacterial activity, and the extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard chemical tests. The findings revealed that at 100 mg/ml concentration, the methanol extract of Nepenthes ampularia displayed largest inhibition zone (DIZ=18.67 ± 0.58), followed by ethyl acetate extract of N. ampularia (17.67 ± 1.15) and ethyl acetate extract of Musa gracilis (17.00 ± 1.00). The phytochemical investigation of these extracts showed the existence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids. The pronounced anti-mycobacterial properties displayed by the screened medicinal plants scientifically proved the claim by traditional people of Endau Rompin Johor. It is suggested that the extracts may be considered for further evaluation

Preparation and characterization of PMMA-AgNPs polymer composite as a dental prosthesis

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used for centuries in the field of medicine due to the antimicrobial properties. AgNPs has been synthesized and incorporated in different aspects of biomaterials. It is reported that AgNPs as a result of its small size, it provides sufficient antimicrobial effect at lower filler level, thus can be used in dentistry for prevention and reduction of biofilm formation on a surfaces of dental prosthesis. The purpose of this study is to develop AgNPs antimicrobial acrylic resin for dental prosthesis. The effect of AgNPs incorporated into acrylic resin poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) on the bacterial biofilm was studied in terms of bacterial growth and the incorporating effect on the thermal stability of these polymeric biocides was evaluated. Silver nanoparticles in colloidal form was added to PMMA(ONDA-CRYL) using microwave and make four dental prosthesis at the different concentration. The specimens were delivered to the four toothless patients for 21 days. The formed biofilm was tested for microbiological study (taxonomic profile). After setting, the specimens were characterized to determine the spatial distribution of AgNPs on the PMMA matrix through scanning electron microscope and the thermal stability was examined using TGA and DSC. The modified PMMA prosthesis base containing AgNPs, which exhibited good in vivo antimicrobial properties without altering their thermal properties of degradation as well as their mechanical properties and minimize the maximum infectious signs by reducing the formation of microbial biofilm forming on the surfaces of dental prostheses. As the modification of PMMA with AgNPs improved the anti-biofilm properties without altering its mechanical and thermals properties to the degradation, it could be used as a dental prosthesis

Comparison of phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of unripe and ripe fruit of sonneratia caseolaris

Sonneratia caseolaris, also known as mangrove apple produces the edible fruit which can be found mainly on tidal mud in mangroves area. Since this fruit is considered as underutilized fruit as it is not fully discovered for its potential health benefits and not fully commercialized, hence this study aimed to determine the phytochemicals contents (i.e. total flavonoid, phenolic, anthocyanins and carotenoids contents), antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of different parts (flesh and stem cap) of the unripe and ripe fruit extracts. Phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities were determined using standard methods of spectrophotometric analysis. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris displayed the highest total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid contents as compared to the other parts in 80% methanol extract with the values of 67.67±0.10 mg (GAE/g), 37.06±0.30 mg (RE/g) and 5.41±0.10 mg (BC/100 g), respectively. The flesh part of unripe S. caseolaris in 80% methanol extract exhibited the best antioxidant properties in three different assays (i.e. DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) with the values of 98.32±0.28%, 67.72±0.74 mmol/g and 91.24±1.23 mg/g, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition also was found to be higher in the flesh part of unripe 80% methanol S. caseolaris extract with 47.18±0.68% at the concentration of 250 µg/mL. Therefore, utilization of this fruit as natural antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition sources may develop new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products

Covid-19: Disadvantages Of Online Learning Towards Visual Arts Practiced-based Nature

Purpose: This paper discusses the disadvantages of online learning in the context of studio practice -based that focuses on practical skills. Discussions are made by looking at various angles of teaching and learning toward the online method and its implications for the field of Visual Arts. Among the aspects discussed are social isolation, limited feedback, focus on theory rather on practice, lack of flexibility, and lack of transformational power. In general, online learning can only serve as a supporting method to the field of Visual Arts that focuses on the construction of practical skills, where conventional learning method which is characterized by practice-based learning is more appropriate and effective. Design/methodology/approach: Review approach. Findings: The best practices for online learning courses are still evolving and are much more difficult to implement especially in terms of learning methods that would be suitable and effective for all areas. Direct training, standard methods, approaches and processes through practice-based are the best practices and are much more established, well understood and more effective for teaching and learning in Visual Arts. Practical implications: Developing a truly effective online learning course requires time, money, and a huge amount of expertise. Good online learning courses involve multimedia, specialized web development, technical support, and strong user interaction design. If done incorrectly, it will disrupt and negatively impact the learning process because of the lack of time concentrations and space limitations. Originality/value: This paper is original. Paper type: This paper can be categorized as a viewpoin

Anti-gout Potential of Malaysian Medicinal Plants

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes painful inflammation in one or more joints. In gout, elevation of uric acid in the blood triggers the formation of crystals, causing joint pain. Malaysia is a mega-biodiversity country that is rich in medicinal plants species. Therefore, its flora might offer promising therapies for gout. This article aims to systematically review the anti-gout potential of Malaysian medicinal plants. Articles on gout published from 2000 to 2017 were identified using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar with the following keyword search terms: “gout,” “medicinal plants,” “Malaysia,” “epidemiology,” “in vitro,” and “in vivo.” In this study, 85 plants were identified as possessing anti-gout activity. These plants had higher percentages of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity (&gt;85%); specifically, the Momordica charantia, Chrysanthemum indicum, Cinnamomum cassia, Kaempferia galanga, Artemisia vulgaris, and Morinda elliptica had the highest values, due to their diverse natural bioactive compounds, which include flavonoids, phenolics, tannin, coumarins, luteolin, and apigenin. This review summarizes the anti-gout potential of Malaysian medicinal plants but the mechanisms, active compounds, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and safety of the plants still remain to be elucidated

Ethnomedical Knowledge of Plants Used for the Treatment of Tuberculosis in Johor, Malaysia

This study documented ethnomedical knowledge of plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and its related symptoms as practiced by the Jakun community of Kampung Peta, situated in Endau Rompin Johor National Park, Johor, Malaysia. Eight key informants were selected by snowball sampling technique and data about medicinal plants were collected by semistructured interviews, participatory observations, and focus group. Qualitative analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis. There were 23 species of plants (22 genera, 20 families) documented and herbarium specimens were deposited at the UTHM Herbarium. Dipterocarpus sublamellatus was recorded for the first time with ethnomedical uses while other species were previously reported. The qualitative approach employed in this study demonstrates the emic perspective in terms of perceptions on traditional herbal medicine, transfer of knowledge, significant taboos related with medicinal plants, and their conservation efforts. Local and biomedical terminology in treatment of TB showed substantial correspondence. The outcomes obtained in the study are worth being further investigated for conservation strategies and are worthy of verifying their ethnomedical claims scientifically